When most people hear the name Liverpool FC, they immediately think of the iconic Merseyside football club, the red shirt, Anfield, the passionate fanbase, synonymous with success, passion, and a global following. However, travel across the Atlantic to Uruguay, and you’ll find another Liverpool, Liverpool Montevideo.
While the South American club doesn’t share the worldwide fame of its English counterpart, the story behind its name and the parallels between the two clubs reveal an interesting connection rooted in geography and a shared view of football.
The relationship between these two Liverpools is more of a mirror opposite than a mirror image. Red and white; blue and black. Success and failure—each club’s fate seems to have split over time. Yet, despite these differences, their shared name and the histories behind them offer fascinating insight into the global impact of English football.
Why the Name?
Liverpool Montevideo, was officially founded on February 15, 1915, owes its name to a simple but significant observation. At the time of its founding, the club’s creators were inspired by the port city of Liverpool in England. Much like Montevideo, who are also a city famous for its docks.
Both cities played important roles in global trade due to their docks, and to the founders of the Uruguayan club, the name Liverpool symbolised a gateway to the world, and so Liverpool Montevideo was born—not directly in honour of the football club in Merseyside, but in recognition of the city’s impact and its similarities to Montevideo.
Back then, British influence was strong in Uruguay, especially when it came to football. British exports had a major role in the spread of the sport across South America, and many clubs drew inspiration from English teams. This is why so many teams can be seen with British-sounding names such as Albion, Wanderers, and Liverpool, which began to emerge in Uruguay.
Opposite Fortunes
From the beginning, the two clubs may have seemed similar, but over time they’ve diverged in some remarkable ways. Liverpool FC in England has grown into one of the most successful clubs in football history, boasting an illustrious trophy cabinet filled with 6 Champions League titles and Premier Leagues. On the other hand, Liverpool Montevideo has never reached the same heights on the global stage, spending much of its history as an underdog in Uruguay’s Primera División, overshadowed by local giants like Peñarol and Nacional.
Their contrasting fortunes are symbolised in their colours. While Liverpool FC is famously associated with red and white, Liverpool Montevideo adopted black and blue as their iconic kit, further emphasising their “mirror opposite” dynamic. However over time, these differences extended beyond just kits and trophies, shaping the fabric of both clubs in distinct ways. Even though they have ended up adopting many red away strips over the years.
The Stadiums
Curiously, both Liverpool clubs share remarkable similarities when it comes to the history of their stadia. Anfield, was originally the home of Everton, which will soon will be the ‘club of the docks’ with their new stadium Bramley-Moore Dock looking to be ready for next season.
Liverpool’s docks dominated trade in the 19th Century, with the Albert Dock at the centre of it all. The Mersey to this day still plays a central role in the city’s life, similar to those docks that breathe life into Montevideo.
When Everton left Anfield, Liverpool FC took over, making the stadium their own. It is now one of the most iconic grounds in world football. A similar story played out across the Atlantic in Montevideo. Estadio Belvedere, the current home of Liverpool Montevideo, was also originally the home of a rival team—Montevideo Wanderers. Over time, Wanderers moved out, allowing Liverpool Montevideo to take over.
However, unlike Everton and Liverpool FC, who have separate homes, Montevideo Wanderers eventually returned to Belvedere, leading to the two teams sharing the stadium to this day. Imagine that between Liverpool and Everton.
Underdog Spirit and Youth Development
Both Liverpools are deeply embedded in their local communities. While Liverpool FC was built on representing the working-class roots of Merseyside and that sort of underdog spirit. Liverpool Montevideo has similar status in its Belvedere neighbourhood. Both clubs pride themselves on a close connection to their fanbases, with strong local identities despite their different levels of success and fame.
Both clubs share a commitment to youth development. Liverpool FC has a star studded academy system, producing legends like Steven Gerrard and more recently Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool Montevideo has become known for nurturing Uruguayan talent, with players such as Giorgian De Arrascaeta—now a star the Uruguayan national team.
While Liverpool Montevideo have never had an English player in their ranks, Liverpool FC have had 3 Uruguayans on their books, Sebastian Coates, Luis Suarez and most recently, Darwin Nunez.
Two Clubs, One Goal
While Liverpool has conquered Europe on numerous occasions, winning six Champions League titles, most recently in 2019 in Madrid. Liverpool Montevideo has also tested itself on the continental stage, though with less success. The Uruguayan side has participated in Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores, tournaments equivalent to the UEFA Champions League in South America.
Despite being underdogs, their ambition to compete with the Continent’s best teams reflects the same drive.
Two Liverpools, one spirit
While one club has become a global powerhouse and the other remains a respected local side, both Liverpool FC and Liverpool Montevideo share a name, idea of football, and a fighting spirit. Despite their differences—whether it’s in their colours, their success on the field, or their paths to greatness—both clubs embody the same ethos of perseverance, community, and ambition.
So, while many fans might say “There’s only one Liverpool” the existence of Liverpool Montevideo proves that, at least in the world of football, there’s room for two.
